Iceland 2019

We are back docked in Reykjavik, but shuttle to Hveragerdi where the volcanic action is still quite lively. The lava fields from past eruptions are now covered with Icelandic moss and other small plants. Sighting utility lines is rare because as I have written earlier, most of the energy transferred along underground cables and pipes. We hike in about 6 km through incredibly beautiful mountains and valleys with steaming water and mud pots. For instance just out of range of this picture was a steep, rocky path into the valley. There are danger signs in many locations warning that the water is right at boiling temperature The sheep enjoy the warmth of the thermals and the lush vegetation. We arrived at the hot springs! Although in many of the areas, the water is boiling. At this particular location, cool water that does not run near the thermals joins the hot water cooling it sufficiently for bathing. The complete works! M...

Because of the weather as explained in an earlier post, we had to turn back after Seydisfjordur.  The waves were quite rough until we passed the Western Fjords and the winds were then behind us.  So no pictures. I am placing some Iceland and Viking information here. …”Chasing Ice” –(photographer)-excellent documentary about glaciers and their disappearance. Mid-Atlantic Ridge-spreads 2.5 cm annually. The Earth crust cracked in 17 major rigid Tetanic plates. Earthquakes, volcanic activity, mountain building and oceanic trenches occur at the tetanic plate boundaries. Iceland was formed by the emerged portion of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge shaped by a hot spot. Mantle plumes are fixed at core at about 2900 km. The plate moves, but the plume is fixed. Iceland’s hot spot is under Eyjafjallajokoll “Eyjaf”-island, “jalla” hill”, “jokoll”-glacier 30 volcanic systems in Iceland Eyjafjὄll-erupted in 2010 and caused major air traffic problems. Viking lore/culture...

We have been traveling from Reykjavik, north to the western fjords, to Grimsey on the Artic Circle, down to Akureyri still in the north. The Captain told us yesterday that the weather was going to start getting rough, and he might have to change the course.  On Sunday night as we left Akureyri, he met with the passengers, showed us weather maps, and explained the change of course.  The winds and swells continue to increase on the east and south sides of Iceland.  We made Sey₫isfjὄ₫ur, but then began to retrace our route around the north and west of Iceland.  We will miss Heimaey Island located in the Westmannaeyjar archipelago off southern Iceland. Where the red shade on the east/south side, the swells would be more than 15 ft. high and the winds around 15+ knots. Sey₫isfjὄ₫ur is Iceland's most picturesque town with many of the old Norwegian-style houses well-preserved and painted bright colors.  Founded in 1848, it is situation on the easte...

Akureyri was settled in the 9 th C. The town was the site for Allies during WWII and was used for an airbase. Relatively mild temperatures.  The weather for all of our days has been pleasant: 50-60 degrees and becoming sunny after morning clouds.  This weather is going to be changing soon. We traveled through a 7 km new tunnel. During construction, the workers hit thermal springs that contained 160 degree water.  The water had to be redirected, and a new waterfall appeared. Haverfjall Caldera overlooks Lake My’vatn, “Lake of Midges" because of the abundance of the insect, but which in turn feed the fish and ducks on the Lake. Lava Fields-2.5 million years ago when the Hverfjall Caldera erupted. Beginning the climb to the top of the Hverfjall Caldera We first climbed to the top and then hiked around the entire rim. Surrounding mountains and thermal activity Grjotagja Cave had a hot-water spring that people bathed in ...